THE PERSIMMON 



FOR some reason, which I find rather difficult to explain, the Persimmon and the 

 opossum are always associated in my consciousness. Probably it is because the 

 two species occupy somewhat similar positions in the dialect literature of the 

 South, the Persimmon fruits being as famous among trees in the folk-lore tales of the 

 South as is the opossum among animals. At any rate, they are both extraordinary forms, 

 being the sole representatives of their families in eastern America and occupying a very 

 similar geographical range. Even their scientific names are not unlike, the Persimmon 

 being known technically as Diospyros Virginiana, while the opossum is Didelphis Vir- 

 giniana. 



The Persimmon is essentially a Southern tree, being most abundant in the States 

 along the South Atlantic and the Gulf coasts, extending as far north as Southern Ohio. 

 It has been reported as being found in southern New England but there seems to be 

 reason for believing that some of these trees at least were not indigenous. The fruit is 

 the most interesting feature of the tree, being of good size and a favorite article of food 

 after its astringency has been removed by the action of frost. The form and character of 

 the fruits are shown upon the plate. These develop from flowers that blossom in June,' 

 there being pollen-bearing and seed-bearing flowers upon different branches of the same 

 tree or upon different trees. These blossoms are a pale yellow color and of the general 

 forms illustrated on the plate, the smaller pollen-bearing ones being shown above the 

 larger seed-bearing ones. 



One of the earliest references to the Persimmon has been quoted by Miss Keeler 

 in her excellent book upon "Our Native Trees:" it is found in "The Historie of Travaile 

 into Virginia Brittania," and reads as follows: 



" They have a plumb which they call pessemmins, like to a medler, in England, but 

 of a deeper tawnie cullour; they grow on a most high tree. When they are not fully ripe, 

 they are harsh and choakie, and furre in a man's mouth like allam, howbeit, being taken 

 fully ripe, yt is a reasonable pleasant fruict, somewhat lushious. I have seen our people 

 put them into their baked and sodden puddings ; there be those whose tast allows them 

 to be as pretious as the English apricock ; I confess it is a good kind of horse plumb . ' ' 



There is great variation in the size and quality of fruits from different trees, and it 

 would seem feasible greatly to improve the edible characters of the fruit from trees planted 

 by men, by a little attention to the selection of seed or by budding or grafting. 



(270) 



